SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Net Sales and Profit by Reportable Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Segment Net Sales	$ 220,769	$ 213,246	$ 205,547	$ 196,652	$ 214,432	$ 210,084	$ 210,170	$ 196,185	$ 836,214	$ 830,871	$ 780,078
Segment Profit									247,444	304,023	281,804
Amortization									(12,697)	(18,536)	(16,433)
Corporate and other									(238,391)	(211,705)	(210,459)
Operating income (loss)									(3,644)	73,782	54,912
U.S. Neurosurgery
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Segment Net Sales									172,250	171,278	165,652
Segment Profit									83,211	91,070	86,206
U.S. Instruments
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Segment Net Sales									159,627	162,323	155,833
Segment Profit									45,629	46,294	41,883
U.S. Extremities
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Segment Net Sales									134,683	122,847	98,109
Segment Profit									53,189	49,432	38,540
U.S. Spine and Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Segment Net Sales									179,940	190,546	174,479
Segment Profit									8,546	55,891	51,011
International
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Segment Net Sales									189,714	183,877	186,005
Segment Profit									$ 56,869	$ 61,336	$ 64,164